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The 786th Civil Engineer Squadron tests and analyses the drinking water for the KMC to ensure the distributed water is consumable for Airmen and civilians on base.
Ramstein’s water treatment facility is the largest in Europe. Currently, it has the capability to treat 445 million gallons of water per year and supplies drinking water to a base population of approximately 20,000 military and civilian families.
“Our mission is to preserve and maintain,” said Airman 1st Class Sarah Bronks, 786th CES craftsman. “We ensure that people can hydrate with clean water resources.”
The KMC draws all its drinking water from deep wells several hundred feet below ground. The water is pumped from these wells, treated and then distributed to the community.
Ramstein manages four of these distribution systems in the KMC.
Due to the purity of the groundwater resources, testing is, for the most part, not necessary. Most water resources are chlorinated, which provides a measurable means of ensuring the water is properly disinfected.
All water collected by the plant has the potential to carry pathogenic microorganisms and is disinfected prior to distribution to members of the KMC.
“Adding aluminum or iron salt chemicals to neutralize the pathogens on the surface of the water helps eliminate the water by rapid mixing,” said Staff Sgt. Roberto Requenes, 786th CES craftsman.
The water quality team on Ramstein works around-the-clock to perform maintenance and collect water samples all to provide safe and pathogen-free drinking water for the KMC.
“Tomorrow’s success will depend on all of us working together to protect our vital water resources,” Requenes said.
